Category Archives: U.S.

New militia colors for an old Flying Yankee!

Connecticut Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Tamara R. Dabney, 18JAN2023.

In January 2023, Connecticut Air National Guard’s 118th Airlift Squadron ‘Flying Yankees’-103rd Airlift Wing celebrated 1-hundred years of airborne operations by giving their old C-130H Hercules some new clothes.

Connecticut Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Tamara R. Dabney, 18JAN2023.

Connecticut Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Tamara R. Dabney, 18JAN2023.

Connecticut Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Tamara R. Dabney, 18JAN2023.

Connecticut Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Tamara R. Dabney, 18JAN2023.

African Lion 2023: C-130H HERCULES

Cold War to Ukraine Crisis, 2022: EC-130H COMPASS CALL MAKES ITS LAST CALL?

New colors for Minnesota’s old F-16 Falcon

Minnesota Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Jorden Newbanks, 03AUG2023.

Minnesota Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Jorden Newbanks, 03AUG2023.

Minnesota Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Tylin Rust, 24JUL2023.

Minnesota Air National Guard 75th Anniversary F-16 attended the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture 2023, in Wisconsin, 24JUL2023.

Minnesota Air National Guard photo by Airman Addie Peterson, 17JUL2023.

Despite the 75th Anniversary F-16 making its first appearance towards the end of June, its first flight with its new clothes didn’t happen until 17JUL2023.

Minnesota Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Tylin Rust, 16JUL2023.

The bulldog mascot of the 148th Fighter Wing (FW), Minnesota Air National Guard, poses for a photo with the 148th FW’s 75th Anniversary heritage jet, at the Duluth Air Show, 16JUL2023.

Minnesota Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Tylin Rust, 16JUL2023.

Minnesota Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Tylin Rust, 15JUL2023.

Minnesota Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Tylin Rust, 15JUL2023.

Minnesota Air National Guard photo by First Lieutenant Crystal Kirchner, 25JUN2023.

The ‘heritage’ jet was unveiled on 25JUN2023.

Iowa Air Militia: EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN…AND STILL F-16 GOLD

Kawaii: OHIO AIR MILITIA ENTICES LITTLE CHILDREN WITH THEIR BABY F-16!

August 2023: National Guard

This is just a little bit of what the various U.S. state’s National Guard units were tasked with in August, 2023.

On 29AUG2023, Florida Army National Guard’s 868th Engineer Company deployed to clear fallen trees in residential areas, in Suwannee County. About 5-thousand-5-hundred National Guard personnel have been deployed. Video by Sergeant Marc Morgenstern (edited by me):

On 29AUG2023, Florida Army National Guard’s 868th Engineer Company deployed to clear the roads in Suwannee County.  Video by Sergeant Marc Morgenstern (edited by me):

West Virginia Air National Guard 130th Air Wing’s (aka Charlie West) C-130J-30 Super Hercules conducted ‘turnarounds’ on an abandoned coal mine, 25AUG2023. The former coal mine is now called Camp Branch Drop and Landing Zone (near Logan), and is now used by the military.  Video by Senior Master Sergeant Eugene Crist:

After five days of grueling events, on 18AUG2023 U.S. Army Forces Command (ForsCom) announced the winner of its Best Squad competition: Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team (‘Snake River Brigade’)!

Four West Virginia Air National Guard 130th Airlift Wing C-130J-30 cargo planes trained for the September Fly Away Readiness Exercise-Validation (FLARE-V). Video by Airman First Class Kaden Salmons, recorded on 17AUG2023:

Michigan Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Patrick Mayabb, 16AUG2023.

On 16AUG2023, Michigan Army National Guard’s 125th Infantry Regiment returned from a yearlong deployment to Syria.

On 16AUG2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service (FPS) Police and the Oregon National Guard’s 102nd Civil Support Team joined with the city of Eugene Police Department and Fire Department, as well as other organizations, conducted training to prepare for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) threats and other hazardous incidents at sporting events.

Nevada Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Paula Macomber, 16AUG2023.

Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing deployed their C-130H MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System), after being activated on 16AUG2023 by the Boise, Idaho, based National Interagency Fire Center.

From 14 through 17 August, the ‘New England’ area Air National Guard CERFP (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Force Package) Detachment 1 conducted a HazMat/CBRN disaster response evaluation involving decontamination of survivors, on Joint Base Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Video by Air National Guard Technical Sergeant Victoria Nelson (edited by me):

New York Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jonathan Pietrantoni, 16AUG2023.

From 12 through 16 August, the New York Army National Guard’s 466th Area Support Medical Company worked alongside Brazilian Army peers during Operation Paraná-3 in the State of Parana, Brazil.

Kentucky Army National Guard photo by Milt Spalding, 14AUG2023.

On 14AUG2023, personnel with Kentucky Army National Guard’s Headquarters/Headquarter’s Battery-138th Field Artillery Brigade said goodbye as they deployed to Kuwait/Iraq/Syria (Operation Spartan Shield).

On 14AUG2023, Hawaii Army National Guard personnel joined with Regular Army (RA) and Army Reserve units in deploying to Maui, under JTF 5-0 (Joint Task Force 5-0), in response to the Lahaina Fire.

The New York and Utah Army National Guard joined together and cooked meals for the thousands of personnel, from across the U.S., who attended the Northern Strike wargame on Camp Grayling, in Michigan. Video by Sergeant Alan Prince, 11AUG2023:

Militia personnel with the Iowa Air & Army National Guard conducted a joint ‘domestic’ exercise (climate disasters, social rebellion, etc) at Camp Dodge from 07-10 August 2023.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Joseph Morgan, 08AUG2023.

On 08AUG2023, after a yearlong deployment to Kuwait/Iraq/Syria (Operation Spartan Shield), hundreds of Idaho Army National Guard 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team personnel began their return home.

During August 2023, the Oregon National Guard went to Viet Nam to learn about sea walls, and other forms of natural disaster management. Oregon is one of the U.S. Pacific Coast states in the ‘line-of-fire’ for the next catastrophic Cascadia Event (massive earthquake & tsunami). Video interview by Sergeant First Class Timothy Hughes:

Montana National Guard photo by Captain Jonathan Hamm, 06AUG2023.

On 06AUG2023, Montana Army National Guard’s 1889th Regional Support Group deployed to Kuwait/Iraq/Syria (Operation Inherent Resolve).

Pennsylvania Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sergeant Alexander Farver, 04AUG2023.

Pennsylvania‘s Air and Army National Guard conducted the weekend wargame Iron Keystone, 04-06AUG2023.  It was the first time that three of Pennsylvania’s Air Guard Wings took part in the state wargame.

Alaska Army National Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer-2 Ben Haulenbeek, 03AUG2023.

Alaska Army National Guard deployed their UH-60L Black Hawks to wildfire duty.  The order came from the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection routed through the State Emergency Operations Center.

Indiana Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Hector Tinoco, 03AUG2023.

On 03AUG2023, Indiana Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion-163rd Field Artillery Regiment returned home after being deployed to Iraq.

On 03AUG2023, the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing deployed one of their C-130H MAFFS from Cheyenne to Klamath Falls Airtanker Base, Oregon, to assist with fire fighting operations across the Pacific Coast of the United States. The deployment order came from the National Interagency Fire Center based in Boise, Idaho. Video by Senior Airman Edward Hermsen:

Ohio Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Sarah Stalder Lundgren, 03AUG2023.

Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing board a C-17 Globemaster-III, 03AUG2023, deploying to Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Wisconsin, for wargame Northern Lightning.

The ‘pland-emic’ paranoia has had unexpected negative effect; the number of licensed foster care families in Nevada has been cut in half! Now the desperate state of Nevada has turned to its National Guard personnel to deal with a growing problem of lack of foster care parents: “Children in foster care need strong and supportive caregivers who are willing to work with biological families and the Department of Family Services to reunite children with their families. Historically, military families and individuals have proven to be the type of special people who provide loving and stable homes to support children.”-Allyson Manumaleuna, Foster Care Recruitment and Training for Clark County Department of Family Services

Michigan Air National Guard photo by Tom Demerly, 02AUG2023.

On 02AUG2023, Michigan‘s Air National Guard prepped for a possible ‘active shooter’ incident on Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

On 01AUG2023, about 50 militia personnel of the Oklahoma Air & Army National Guard deployed to the Texas/Mexico border, under operation Task Force Minuteman. Every month, the Task Force personnel will be refreshed with about 50 more state militia personnel. Video report by Sergeant Reece Heck:

August 2023: TEXAS MILITIA: The Texas Military Department had a birthday, jumping from helicopters in Kosovo, never ending border patrols.

UTAH MILITIA: A presidential campaign visit, ‘blackout’ medical training in the country of Australia, prepping to deploy to the continent of Africa, jumping from helicopters, blowing-up Michigan!

July, 2023: WYOMING’S 1ST EVER VIGILANT GUARD, CATASTROPHIC COLLAPSE, SOCIAL UPHEAVAL!

June, 2023:  NATIONAL GUARD PREPS FOR ‘BIG ONE’ IN THE WABASH VALLEY, RIOTS & CBRN EVENTS EXPECTED!

August 2023: Utah Militia

This is just a little bit of what the Utah Air & Army National Guard accomplished in August, 2023.

Camp Growl, Queensland, Australia. Utah Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Alejandro Lucero, 01AUG2023.

On 01AUG2023, while deployed to Australia, the 144th Area Support Medical Company conducted ‘blackout’ (night-time) medical operations during international wargame Talisman Sabre (22 July to 04 August).

Utah Army National Guard photo by Captain Jeffrey Brenchley, 06AUG2023.

On 06AUG2023, Utah’s 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) militia personnel jumped from a perfectly good UH-60 Black Hawk rotary wing, into Deer Creek Reservoir near Heber City.  The 19th SF Group Airborne is one of only two Army National Guard Special Forces (SF) units, the other unit is in Texas (197th Special Troops Support Company).

Utah Army National Guard photo by Sergeant First Class Rich Stowell, 08AUG2023.

On Camp Williams, in Utah, the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) spent their yearly ‘summer camp’ preparing for their deployment to Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), which is based in the Republic of Djibouti.  The 204th MEB will deploy to the African continent in Spring 2024.

Utah Air National Guard photo by Technical Sergeant Nicholas Perez, 09AUG2023.

On 09AUG2023, the Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard greeted U.S. President Joseph Robinette Biden Junior on Roland R. Wright Air National Guard base (Salt Lake City).  Biden was in Utah for a one-day ‘Campaign Reception’.

Utah’s 2nd Battalion, of the 222nd Field Artillery, pounded Michigan with their M109A6 Paladin Self Propelled Guns (SPG) during wargame Northern Strike, on Camp Grayling.  Video by Staff Sergeant Daniel Garas (edited by me), 12AUG2023:

Video by Staff Sergeant Daniel Garas showing a Utah M109A6 on the move:

On 23AUG2023, a Utah Army National Guard 1st Battalion-211th Aviation Regiment AH-64 Apache rotary wing launched a AGM-114 Hellfire missile at a smoking target on Granite Peak Range, near Dugway. Video by Staff Sergeant Cambrin Bassett:

Tactical Toilets, 2022:  UTAH INVADES IDAHO!?

August 2023:

 TEXAS MILITIA

August 2023: Texas Militia

The Texas Military Forces (TMF) was founded in February 1823, today it is comprised of the Texas Air National Guard, Texas Army National Guard and the Texas State Guard. The TMF is administered by the Texas Military Department (TMD), which was established on 05AUG1836.

In addition to the ongoing border patrols, this is just a little bit of what the Texas Air & Army National Guard accomplished in August, 2023.

On 22AUG2023, the Texas Army National Guard’s 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team jumped from a perfectly good UH-60 Black Hawk rotary wing, over Kosovo, in NATO Europe. Video by Sergeant Gauret Stearns:

While watching the Point of View (PoV) video, calculate how long it takes the parachutist to hit the ground (when he says “ow!”) after jumping from the helicopter:

11AUG2023, Texas Army National Guard UH-60 water-bombs a wildfire near the community of Lockhart, in Caldwell County. Texas Military Department photo by Michael Linan.

Texas Army National Guard photo by Captain Nadine Wiley De Moura, 10AUG2023.

On 10AUG2023, Texas Army National Guard’s 197th Special Troops Support Company (STSC) Special Operations (SO) Airborne (A), conducted M249 and M240 machinegun qualifications. The 197th STSC is one of only two Army National Guard Special Forces (SF) units, the other unit is in Utah (19th SF Group Airborne).

Photo by Julie Briden-Garcia, 09AUG2023.

On 09AUG2023, the Texas Air National Guard’s 136th Airlift Wing (AW) began a program called Honorary Commanders (aka Guardians Program).  Seven silly-vilian (civilian) sector employers were chosen for a two years mission to help increase public awareness and understanding of the 136th AW.  Part of the job of an Honorary Commander is to attend scheduled drills.

On 09AUG2023, a 136th AW C-130J Super Hercules took part in a ‘Maintenance University’ on Savannah Air National Guard Base (Hilton Head International Airport) in the state of Georgia. Georgia Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Victoria Coursey.

Biden’s Borderland, June 2023:  THREE MORE STATES DEPLOY NATIONAL GUARD TO TEXAS!

Biden’s Borderland, May 2023: IDAHO DEPLOYS STATE POLICE TO TEXAS/MEXICO BORDER!

Idaho’s Snake River Militia captures U.S. Army ForsCom!

After five days of grueling events, on 18AUG2023 U.S. Army Forces Command (ForsCom) announced the winner of its Best Squad competition; Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team (‘Snake River Brigade’)!

Idaho Army National Guard’s Specialist Christian Brown takes the lead during the 12-mile Ruck March, 18AUG2023. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Jaidon Novinska.

The winning squad is specifically from Idaho’s 2nd-116th Cavalry Regiment, made up of Staff Sergeant Joshua Hutchings, Sergeant Douglas Kenz-Woods, Specialist Evan Skaug, Specialist David Hann, and Specialist Christian Brown.  They are now prepping for the overall U.S. Army Best Squad Competition, in September 2023.

ForsCom Command Sergeant Major Todd Sim, congratulates the Squad from the ‘Snake River Brigade’, during a ceremony on Fort Campbell, Kentucky. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sergeant Elizabeth Rundell, 18AUG2023.

Jumping out of a perfectly good Cold War era CH-47, with no parachute! U.S. Army video (edited by me to show mainly Idaho’s Squad number 8) of the Helocast test near Dover, Tennessee, 15AUG2023:

U.S. Army video by Specialist Mason Nichols, showing the ForsCom Best Squad Fortitude Fitness Test (it should be called the Ma-Duce Fitness Test, ’cause your squad runs carrying more than a hundred pounds of machinegun), 16AUG2023:

The big win for Idaho came just a couple of weeks after winning U.S. Army Central’s (ArCent) Best Squad competition (IDAHO SNAKE RIVER SQUAD; ‘PATTON’S OWN’ CHOSEN ONES!).

U.S. Disaster: Oregon preps for WMDs & HazMat ‘incidents’ at Global sporting events?

Oregon Army National Guard Photo by Major W. Chris Clyne, 16AUG2023.

On 16AUG2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service (FPS) Police and the Oregon National Guard’s 102nd Civil Support Team joined with the city of Eugene Police Department and Fire Department, as well as other organizations, conducted training to prepare for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) threats and other hazardous incidents at sporting events.

It’s not the first time: “Our partnership that we have with the Oregon National Guard, specifically the 102nd Civil Support Team, they’ve been supporting us for the past five U.S. Olympic trials and World Games.”-Sergeant Damian San Miguel, Eugene Police Department bomb squad

Don’t forget to decontaminate your dog during a HazMat event! Oregon Army National Guard Photo by Major W. Chris Clyne, 16AUG2023.

Sergeant Damian San Miguel explains ‘JHAT’ (Joint Hazard Assessment Team) bomb squad training for sporting events, beginning in 2008 (video interview by Major W. Chris Clyne):

Oregon Army National Guard Photo by Major W. Chris Clyne, 16AUG2023.

This year’s training took place in the Autzen Stadium, located north of the University of Oregon (The Big O).

Oregon National Guard First Sergeant Robert McCree explains the training for such a catastrophic scenario (video report by Major W. Chris Clyne & Staff Sergeant Tyler Meister):

Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington make-up U.S. FPS Region 10, with its HQ in Portland, Oregon.

U.S. Disaster, 2023: FEMA RESPONSE, LAHAINA FIRE!

FEMA REGION 10; HOT WATER VENTING FROM CASCADIA SUBDUCTION ZONE!

U.S. Disaster: FEMA response, Lahaina Fire!

FEMA photo by Dominick Del Vecchio, 16AUG2023.

On 16AUG2023, more supplies for wildfire survivors arrived on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staging area, on Maui.

FEMA photo by Dominick Del Vecchio, 16AUG2023.

Volunteer with World Central Kitchen organizes cooking supplies delivered to the FEMA staging area.

FEMA photo by Dominick Del Vecchio, 15AUG2023.

On 15AUG2023, the FEMA opened a ‘one-stop-shop’ on the island of Maui for disaster survivors.

On 14AUG2023, the FEMA released this video of their Urban Search And Rescue (USAR) dogs in action. The K9 (canine) units deployed from states such as California, New York and Washington. Video by Dominick Del Vecchio:

FEMA photo by Dominick Del Vecchio, 14AUG2023.

On 14AUG2023, the FEMA began registering survivors for Disaster Survivor Assistance.

On 14AUG2023, the FEMA released this video showing that power lines are down all through out Lahaina. Cadaver dogs (K9s, canines) had to work around the Hawaiian Electric utility crews who were trying to secure the power lines. Video by Dominick Del Vecchio:

FEMA photo by Dominick Del Vecchio, 13AUG2023.

On 13AUG2023, the first of 32 large electricity generators arrived at the FEMA staging area, on Maui.

FEMA photo by Dominick Del Vecchio, 11AUG2023.

On 11AUG2023, the FEMA met with state agencies to coordinate the disaster response.

On 10AUG2023, the FEMA declared Disaster Response/Recovery-4724-Hawaii (DR-4724-HI). The DR-4724-HI web-site helps explain the application process for recovery assistance/loans.

U.S. Disaster, 2023: LAHAINA FIRE, JTF-50 DEPLOYS!

U.S. Disaster: Lahaina Fire, JTF 5-0 deploys!

16 August 2023 (12:44-UTC-07 Tango 06) 25 Mordad 1402/29 Muharram 1445/01 Geng-Shen(7th month) 4721/16 Август 2023 года

Joint Task Force 5-0 (JTF 5-0) is a unit consisting of personnel from the various Department of Defense branches, and part of the U.S. Fifth Fleet command.

Hawaii Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Matthew A. Foster, 15AUG2023.

Hawaii Army National Guard video, by Staff Sergeant Matthew A. Foster, showing Lahaina fire devastation as of 15AUG2023, even the boats in the harbor burned:

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Brandon Aultman, 14AUG2023.

On 14AUG2023, Hawaiian Army National Guard personnel joined with Regular Army (RA) and Army Reserve units in deploying to Maui, under JTF 5-0, aboard a U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) KC-130J from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Oahu, to the Kahului Airport on Maui. Hawaii Army National Guard video by Staff Sergeant Matthew A. Foster:

USMC photo by Lance Corporal Logan Beeney, 14AUG2023.

On 13AUG2023, the Hawaii Army National Guard used their Cold War era CH-47 Chinooks to transport dozens of JTF 5-0 Army National Guard, Regular Army (RA) and Army Reserve personnel from Kualoa Airfield, on the island of Oahu, to the Puunene Armory on the island of Maui. Hawaii Army National Guard video by Specialist Sean Walker & Specialist Tonia Ciancanelli (no audio at beginning of video):

U.S. Disaster, 2023: LAHAINA FIRE, HAWAII MILITIA DEPLOYS!

U.S. Disaster: Lahaina Fire, Hawaii Militia deploys!

On 11AUG2023, the U.S. Coast Guard District-14 (Hawaii-Pacific) released this silent video of the fire as it happened in the city of Lahaina, on Maui Island, Hawaii:

Also on 11AUG2023, the U.S. Army’s 94th Army & Air Missile Defense Command released this video (by Sergeant ZaBarr Jones) of the collection and staging of donations (food, water, clothes, baby formula, bedding and toiletries) from the residents of Honolulu, Hawaii:

In the background is what’s left of Lahaina. In the foreground is a nearly empty fresh water reservoir, the islands of Hawaii are dealing with a drought. Hawaii National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Andrew Jackson, 09AUG2023.

Hawaii National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant John Linzmeier, 10AUG2023.

On 10AUG2023, Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing helped deliver personnel and equipment of the Honolulu Fire Department to the island of Maui, using the Boeing C-17 Globemaster-3 cargo plane.

Hawaii National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant John Linzmeier, 10AUG2023.

C-17 video by Staff Sergeant John Linzmeier:

Hawaii National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Andrew Jackson, 10AUG2023.

Hawaii National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Andrew Jackson, 10AUG2023.

On 09AUG2023, the Hawaii Army National Guard deployed two Cold War era Boeing CH-47 Chinook rotary wings to fight the fires. 58 total bucket drops in five hours, totaling more than 100-thousand gallons, dropped on the fires!

Hawaii National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Andrew Jackson, 10AUG2023.

CH-47 video report by Master Sergeant Andrew Jackson and Master Sergeant Amber Monio:

On 09AUG2023, about 50 Hawaii Air & Army National Guard CERF-P (CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Packages) personnel were mobilized, and on 10AUG2023 joined with other emergency responders to conduct an initial ground recon/damage assessment of Lahaina on Maui Island, Hawaii. Video by Master Sergeant Andrew Jackson:

Hawaii’s National Guard is also assisting the local police. Hawaii National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Andrew Jackson, 09AUG2023.

U.S. Disaster, 2023: VERMONT MILITIA FLOOD RESPONSE

WYOMING’S 1ST EVER VIGILANT GUARD, CATASTROPHIC COLLAPSE, SOCIAL UPHEAVAL!

NATIONAL GUARD PREPS FOR ‘BIG ONE’ IN THE WABASH VALLEY, RIOTS & CBRN EVENTS EXPECTED!

MAFFS PREPPING FOR 2023 WILDFIRE SEASON!